Oldhamers called upon to make sure their vision is safer for winter months

An Oldham opticians is urging people to ‘get themselves seen’ this January

It has already proved to be a challenging winter on the roads, with icy cold snaps and heavy rain.

In response, an Oldham opticians is urging people to ‘get themselves seen’ this January as a straw poll of its customers showed that more than a quarter will choose to drive less during the winter months.

The main reason for not getting behind the wheel is down to glare of oncoming headlights (69 per cent), closely followed by icy roads (66 per cent) and driving in snow (63 per cent). 

The research of 700 adult customers by Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care, which has a branch on Market Street in Shaw, showed that one in six are scared of driving in the dark, with 60 per cent not aware of the availability of lenses designed to reduce headlights dazzle and improve vision in low light and poor weather conditions.

Almost all of those surveyed (91 per cent) believed that sight tests for drivers should be a statutory requirement, with 53 per cent believing the test should be completed annually.

Branch manager Tracey Derbyshire said: “Drivers need optimum vision for their own safety and the safety of other road users, and this is particularly true in the challenging winter months.

“It is understandable that some people lose confidence during winter, but we would urge anyone to get themselves seen by an optician, so they don’t have to avoid going places and seeing people.”

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